The Rangers announced the signing of utility infielder Nicky Lopez to a major league contract. He’ll be active for tonight’s game against the Astros and draws right into the lineup as the second baseman against Houston’s Mike Burrows. Texas designated Andrew McCutchen in a corresponding move.
McCutchen signed a minor league deal midway through Spring Training. He’d seemingly hoped to return to the Pirates for what would’ve been the fourth season of his late-career second act in the Steel City. The Bucs didn’t appear to reciprocate that interest, and the writing was officially on the wall when Pittsburgh signed Marcell Ozuna to a $12MM free agent deal.
Cutch had a big Spring Training to nail down a roster spot, locking in a $1.25MM salary in the process. He was in the starting lineup on Opening Day as the designated hitter against Philly southpaw Cristopher Sánchez. Texas used McCutchen mostly in a short side platoon capacity, splitting his time between DH and the corner outfield. He hasn’t hit in a fairly small sample, batting .192 with one home run over 83 trips to the plate.
More to come.
Great start, sad ending!
Breslow has said he’s looking for offense, he didn’t say it was from this decade. I could see him signing McCutchen
I’ll be sad if this is the last I see of Andrew McCutchen in the Major Leagues. First baseball player I ever truly loved watching. I guess not everyone gets a grand sendoff sadly.
He should have taken the grand sendoff last year, he had to know he was not getting signed by Pirates
That’s right John. He should have quit four or five years ago. The pirates don’t owe him anything. If he had said last year that it was going to be his last year I’m sure the Pirates would’ve done something for him.
Why should he have quit 4 seasons ago when he was still a productive player until this season?
If only the Pirates sign him to a one day contract.
Cue the Pirates fans that will chirp that we need to trade for him. Ozuna’s not been great, which I get, but I have more faith in him turning it on than Cutch being an impact bat for us.
Still hope the best for him though just cause I’ll always like him.
He had a great opening week, but his offensive output has severely declined. Sad to see him go out this way…
Go out what way? People were counting him out when he re-signed with the Pirates, but he last 4 more seasons. Good for him.
You didn’t need a crystal ball to see this coming.
Crystal ball? More like Crystal mall.
Will always be my favorite player.
Rarely do the great ones fade gracefully from the field.
It was a good run Cutch. Wish you all the best if you continue your career.
What about Pederson we need to release him next
No. He’s jewish.
Hateful nonsense.
He gone.
Bummer… 48.8 career WAR. He falls 11.2 WAR short of Bill James almighty HOF threshold.
yes, he will miss HoF by a fair margin. He became mediocre too soon in his career. What was impressive was how long he was able to sustain that mediocrity: for the entirety of his 30’s.
He had a really good career up until the last several years. Nowhere near Hall of Fame worthy. Was a good player at one time and a good guy to have around.
I like Cutch,but he is just one of many older players who did not know when to retire before he got released.
H had a decent year last year but it is sad to see a once fine player try to keep playing one year too long.
What do you mean “did not know when to retire”? He wanted to do what he loved and a team agreed to take him on. McCutchen has no lasting injuries. Made plenty of money. He kept playing until he couldn’t. What is the issue with that?
Pederson is actually ok this season
His HR last night helped win the game. I do not know why the Rangers would add Lopez his offense and defense are well below avg.
and we all know by tomorrow morning, he will be a Pirate at the kind of discount Pittsburgh loves the most
If the Pirates love discount so much why did they sign Ozuna for $12 M and not Cutch for $5m.
Bec they know Skenes won’t be a around much longer.
His longevity is unmatched
Just like Aaron Rodgers, never realizes when it’s time to hang up the cleats